Control apparatus



was, 222, 1936. o. "E". HANDWERK fl fi CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 24, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l Dee. 22, E936.

CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 24, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 9%, 22, 193% o. T. HANDWERK CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 24, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 @600 22, 1936. O E K 2,955,22Q

CONTROL APPARATUS Origihal Filed Sept. 24, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 g i o Patented Dec. 22, 1936 mesne assignments, to- The Brown Instrument. Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Continuation of applications Serial No. 484,059,

September 24, 1930, February and Serial No. 513,662,

5, 1931.- This application May 22,-

1933, Serial No. 672,359

23 Claims.

This invention relates generally to automatic controllers and regulators or'analogous contrivances.

More particularly the invention relates to those devices in which there is utilized a needle or pointer functionally related to the condition of an apparatus which is to be regulated or otherwisecontrolled.

' In many installations the condition of the apparatus to be regulated or controlled is indicated by a delicate needle or pointer, which cannot be employed to operate heavy mechanism necessary for controlling the apparatus whose condition is shown without impairing its accuracy. In other words, the needle, is delicately constructed so as to respond readily to its motivating force, which in most cases is very feeble, so that it is practically impossible for it to perform any control operation, even if it could be done without destroying its sensitivity. 1 I

Many control devices, in order to cope with this situation, utilize electric relays and the like energized by the closure of contacts, the relays in turn operating the control apparatus. The contacts of such devices are closed periodically either by depressing the pointer against the contact mechanism or by depressing the contact mechanism against the pointer. "In either case .the pointer is bent ori'lexed out of its normal plane of movement in performing the control operation, and as will be apparent, considerable pressure is exerted on the delicate pointer which is objectionable because of the strains put on the pointer and its supporting pivots. The difficulty with these devices is that operation is directly through the pointer or needle, which is necessarily very delicate and, therefore, should be freed of all unnecessary flexing.

, j one object of the present invention is to providean improved'regulator or controller whose operation may be accurately determined by, the

above-described pointers,' which as hasbeen pointed out areextremely delicate in construction and weak in operation, without impairing in any way the accuracy or sensitivity thereof.

oscillating feeler or tactor which beats across the path of the index, and which preferably has several surfaces determining different positions of the tactor according to various positions of the index. I prefer to arrange the control apparatus which is governed by the tactor or its equivalent to give a variable action upon a pivoted lever or'a bank of such levers controlling-mercury or other electric switches. In the arrangement i1- lustrated in the drawings a power driven actuator operates the lever or levers, and its effective power is varied by a novel selector. controlled by the engagement of the tactor with the index.. i

, According to an important feature of the in- :vention the levers are positively held in the positions to which they may be shifted by improved latch mechanism which is automatically released by the power-driven actuator when a diiferent setting of one or more of thelevers becomes necessary.

Another feature of the invention relates to the variable control of the main operation, such as the amount of current flowing in a heating circuit or the amount of fuel fed to a furnace, by the variable operation of a resistor or a series of switches or a fuel valve or the like according to the variable throw of a control lever which is actuated by the above-described power actuator and which is preferably controlled as to the extent of its throw by causing the actuator to engage the lever at different points in its length according to the setting of the selector. From this point of view an important feature of the invention relates to the provisionof novel latch mechanism which will hold the lever positively in any of its several positions.

The above and other objects and features of the invention, including 'variousnovel combinations of parts and desirable, particular constructions, will be apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective elevation more or less diagrammatic of a device which is the subject matter of this invention.

Figures 2 to 13 inclusive are diagrammatic representations of the tactor and associated mechanism showing the relative positions thereof during varying steps of operation of the device.

Figures 14, 15, and 16 illustrate a double pole switch adaptation "and a succession of stages in the operation of this form of the device.

Figures 17, 18, and 19 illustrate two single pole Figures 23 and 24 illustrate the switch arms with the switches reversed in position to that shown in Figures 17 to 22 inclusive 7 Figure 25 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view of a modified form of the device in which a single control lever is given a variable throw to give the desired control.

Figure 26 is a front elevation of the needleengaging portion of the tactor of the embodi-' ment of Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a diagram showing the modification of Figure 25 adapted to the control of the resistance of an electric circuit, which may for example be utilized to control the speed of a motor or other apparatus.

Figure 28 is a diagram illustrating the adaptation of the modification of Figure 25 to the control of a plurality of mercury switches which may for example be utilized to control the energization of the resistors of an electric furnace, signalling device, or other apparatus.

Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the adaptation-of the modification of Figure 25 to the control of the flow of fuel or other fluid through a conduit;

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, index I is the needle, pointer, or indicator, of any electrical,

mechanical, chemical, or other instrument and,

is deflected to'the right or left as viewed in Figure 1, in response to any change to be recorded or in response to any change which is to exercise any control or actuate any mechanism. Indeed, it may be the pointer of any instrument whatsoever.

A lever pivoted, intermediate itsends, as at I2, is caused by a 'power means to vibrate up and down tocause an angularly disposed projection or pointer engaging portion l3 on its free end to beat across the path of the needle. The portion i3 is provided with steps l4 and |5, a guard i6 pendent therefrom and a laterally extending arm H. are intended to be intercepted by the needle l0 whereby the lever H is arrested and the desired regulation of the apparatus to which the needle is responsive is effected. It will be seen from the following description that a mere touch of the lever upon the index is sufficient and for convenience the lever, or its needle engaging portion, is termed a tactor. The tactor may be made in a variety of forms and need not necessarily be oscillatory and itmay be operated by any type of prime mover.

' As shown the power device may take the form of a motor l8 which may be of the continuous or intermittant operating type which, through a series of reduction gears I9, drives the shaft 28 provided with a cam 2| or equivalent means having a suitable dwell or pause 22 therein. The

rear end of lever terminates substantially above the pivotal axis of pointer l0 and is suitably supported to swivel or turn about an axis coincident with the axis of the pointer. This arrangement permits of adjustment of the tactor to any point along the scale where it is desired that the control be effected.

The cam 2| is connected to the tactor H to oscillate the latter, through a bell crank 23 piv- The step portions I4 and connector 59.

of the cam 2|.-

The forward end of the tactor may be sufliciently heavy to maintain the roller 28 in engagement with the cam, unless otherwise prevented, although it is apparent that the weight of the lever may be augmented or replaced by a -light spring if necessary. From the foregoing,

it will be seen that rotation of the cam 2| causes the tactor to oscillate or reciprocate across the path of the pointer and that the extent of oscillation thereof is dependent upon the position of the pointer. 1

Rotation of the cam also causes the roller 28, as it rides into the dwell thereof, to position the selector 29 pivotally supported from the shaft 24. The selector may take the form of a bar provided with an enlarged opening 30, through which the shaft 20 extends, and an elongated slot 3| in its free end, the selector being biased toward the shaft 20 which acts as a stop to limit downward movement thereof.

An actuator 32 pivotally supportedand actuated by pin 33 carried by the cam 2| carries a pin 34 one portion of which reciprocates in the slot 3| of the selector and the other portion of which co-acts with the guide 35 pivotaliy supported on shaft 36. The guide is provided with notches 31, 38, and 39, for retaining and guiding pin 34 and a cam portion 40, the function of which will be later described. The movement of the parts are synchronized so that the selector positions the actuator when it is at or near the bottom of -its downward movement.

The actuator pin 34 is designed to actuate levers 4| and 42 to perform suitable control operations. Lever 4|, pivotally supported from shaft 36, has an arm 44 for supporting a mercury switch 45, a re-entrant or cut away portion 46, through which the pin 34 moves under certain conditions of operation, a pin engaging detent 41 for retaining the pin 34 in position as it operates said lever and a latch engaging ledge 48 adapted, when the lever is raised, to engage a latch element 49, supported to turn with shaft 50, for retaining said lever in elevated position. The lever 42, also pivotally supported from shaft 36, has a pin engaging portion 5| for cooperation with the actuating pin 34,- a latch engaging ledge 52 for engagement with a latch element 53, sup- In order that the parts function properly theportion 46, detent 41 and portion 5| are radially offset and the notches of the guide are correspondingly offset to cause the actuator to cooperate with the proper portion or detent.

Latch elements 49 and 53 are biased toward the levers 4| and 42 by a spring 56, and are operated by guide 35, the-cam portion of which cooperates with arm 51 carried by shaft 50.

The mercury switches and 55 are of the double pole type and are connected by a short I The leads 58, 60, 6|, and 62 may control respectively visible or audible signals, or relays, or switches, or valves for accomplishing suitable control operations.

In practice the index I8 is suitably connected to respond'to variations in the condition to be controlled and the mercury switches are connected to circuits controlling suitable motors, switches, rheostats, or like devices and where desirable, the switches are connected in series with the resistors or like apparatus, the heating of which is to be regulated or controlled. As an example, the instant device is well adapted to the control of a system such as that disclosed in Wilhjelm Patent No. 1,739,882, dated December 17, 1929.

In applying the insistant device to the system shown in the patent the pyrometer there shown is removed and leads 58, 68, 8|, and 82 are connected respectively to leads 38, 18, II, and 14 of the patent and index I herein is connected to respond to the temperature of the furnace similarly to index I!) of the patent. With the device thus connected a more accurate-and dependable control of the furnace is effected than with the type of control there shown.

Where desirable or necessary, heavy duty mercury switches may be employed, especially where high powers are being handled, in which case, the mercury switches may take the form shown in Figures and 9 and 13, although single pole switches may be used instead of the double pole types illustrated. In the heavy duty type' of switches, the circuit ismade and broken in the mercury within the quartz tube, so that the heat of the arc is expanded'on'the quartz surface and is dissipated through the volume of merreadily used with any or all of the forms/of the device disclosed and it is to be understood that In operation, assuming for purposes of illustration, that the device is controlling the heating'of.

a furnace, shaft 20 rotates the cam 2| in the direction of the arrow thereon, and as the roller 28 rides into the dwell 22, the tactor H is lowered across the path of the pointer, as in Figure 2, and the selector is so positionedby roller 28 that the pin 34, on upward movement thereof, engages with notch 31 in the guide 35, as at Figure 3. Further rotation of the cam raises the tactor out of the path of the pointer and also causes the actuator pin, guided by guide 35, to travel through the reentrant portion 45 of the lever 4| to the position shown in Figure 4, and thelevers remain in the normal position, with the circuit closed through leads 58, 59, 82, as indicated by the heavy lines in Figure 5 With the switches, in this position, the-heat turned on and the furnace will now begin to heatup. The described movements are repeatedj.. dly whilethe furnace is heating up andthe needle-1'18 isconsequently swinging from the normal,. 'or zero,-position toward the tactor. v

Finally the advancing needle swings directly beneath thetactor II,- the step l4 engages the needle, as at Figure 6, and further downward movement of the tactor is arrested. Downward movement of the tactor being thus arrested, the roller 28 does not ride all the way into the dwell of the cam, consequently the selector 28 is so as previously described; whereupon a greater 75 positioned by the rollerthat the actuating pin 34 cooperates with notch 38 of the guide 35, as .at Figure 7, whereupon on upward movement of the actuator pin 34 engages detent 41 of lever 4| and elevates the lever to the position shown in Fig. 8, where the latch 48 engages the ledge 48 thereof and retains said lever in elevated position.

The mercury switch 45 then occupies the position shown in Figure 9, with the circuit closed through leads 58, 59, GI and the temperature of the furnace has now reached the point at which.

the furnace should increase beyond that desired,

the needle'will swing up scale and engage portion |5 of the tactor, asat Figure l0. When the downward movement of the tactor is thus arrested the roller 28 rides only slightly into the dwell of the cam, hence, theselector 29 positions actuating pin 34 to engage notch 33 in guide 35, as at Figure 11, whereupon on upward movement thereof said pin engages portion 5| of lever 42 and raises said lever to its elevated position shown in Figure 12, where the latch 53 engages the ledge 52 thereof and retains said lever in raised position. Lever 4| remains in elevated position while lever 42 is raised-and both' leversoccupy the raised position illustrated in Figure 12. The mercury switches now occupy the positionshown in Figure 13 and the circuit is closed through leads 58 and 68 and the heating of the furnace is diminished or shut off, since it is beyond the point desired and may cause irreparable damage by overheating.

As the furnace cools off, the pointer swings toward zero and soon moves in position to inter cept step l4 of the tactor, as at Figure 6. As before described, when the pointer is intercepted'by step l4, the selector positions the pen 34' in the notch 38 'of the guide 35, and on upward movement thereof it engages the detent 41 of lever 4|, as at Figure 8, upward movement of the,

guide causes the cam engaging portion 40 thereof to movethe arm 51 outwardly, thereby pushing the latch element 53 free of the ledge 52; of

.the lever 42, and'sincethe pin 34 does not en:

,gage portion 5| of this lever, as 'shown in Figure 8, it moves to its normal-position.

This again changes the circuit to that shown in Figure 9, whereupon the heatingof thefurace is controlled tobring the ,temperature to the point desired. It is to be noted that while the cam 48, through arm 51, operates the latch W elements at each reciprocation the parts are so timed that the pin 34 engages the elevated lever 1 prior to release of the latch and disengages said le'ver subsequent to- .engagementcf the latch so that the lever remains in latched position,- until thereis a change the condition being cone trolled which causes the pin 34 to, travel another path wherein it does not engage thglever, which is then free to move to its lower position upon disengagement of the latch, Should the temperature of the furnace. continue to decrease-,-

the pointer will move to the positon shown ,in

' Figure 2, whereupon the tactonwill make a complete o'scillatio'nand the parts will be operated to the position illustrated in Figures'B, 4, and-5,

supply of heat will be supplied to the furnace, which will begin to heat up, and the cycle of operations will be repeated.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that the pointer, in moving from zero to maximum position, passes through several fields of action each of which fields defines a stage of control. Thus, when the pointer is in the field below the tactor, one control is eifected, when in the field defined by step I 4 of the tactor a diiierent control is effected and when in the field spanned by step l5 of the tactor still another control operation is performed. Also the control operations, are effected when the pointer passes from one to the other of said fields.

The weight of the tactor is so arranged that it exerts very little pressure upon the index and the latter is adapted to be supported, during each depression, by the support 63 which may be the top of the scale plate of the instrument and the end of the tactor operates adjacent the support so that the index is better enabled to withof the original parts are slightly modified and such parts are designated by the original numbers for that part primed, thus in Figs. 14, 15, and 16, guide 35 is provided with notch 31 and a slot 38' and the double pole switch 64 is adapted to occupy one of two positions to perform suitable control operations. When the tactor is intercepted, as at Figure 10, the actuator pin is positioned, by the selector, to engage portion 5| of lever 42 to raise said lever to the latched position of Figure 14.

The condition of the controlled apparatus has exceeded that desired and the circuit thus closed, thru switch 65. efiects a suitable control to bring the condition back to normal. When the index intercepts the tactor, as in Figure 6, the pin 34 reciprocates idly as at Figure 15, thus introducing a delay or time lag between operations of lever 42 since the index has to swing from the-position of Figure 10 to position Figure 2, or in other words the intermediate position of Figure 6 does not eifect a control operation. however, when the t'actor makes a complete oscillation, as at Figure 2, the pin 34 engages notch 31 of the guide 35' elevates said guide to release the latch 53 thereby permitting the lever to move to the position, shown in Figure 16, closing the circuit thru switch 64 to'turn on or increase the condition of the controlled apparatus. In this form of the device the control is either on or off, with no intermediate position, and the guide 35 operates only when the pin 34 engages the notch 31 and then to control the heating of the furnace and switch the operation of a signal indicating when the heat is on and when it is off. When the index makes a complete oscillation, as at Figure 2, the pin 34 is positioned to engage notch 31 to raise lever 4| to the position shown in Figure 17 where it is retained by the latch 49. With the switch thus positioned a suitable signal is operated to indicate that the heat controlled by switch 66 is on and that the furnace is heating up. As the index, responsive to the furnace temperature, swings to the position of Fig. 6 the actuator pin 34 is caused to travel the slot 38' of the guide and the cutout portion 45 of lever 4| without efiecting either of said levers.

The condition of the apparatus continues to build up until the index intercepts the tactor, as at Figure 10, whereupon the actuator pin 34 em gages notch 39 thereby raising the guide 33 to ,unlatch lever 4| which moves to the position 01 Figure 19 thereby changing the signal to indicate that the heat to the furnace has been cut off and at the same time elevating lever 42 to the latched position of Figure-19, thereby cutting ofi the heat to the furnace. As the furnace cools off the index swings back to the position of Figure 6, but as previously described, the actuator pin 34 travels the slot 38 and cutout portion 46 and nothing happens until the index, in its retrograde movement,

- reaches the position of Figure 2 where the actuator pin is operated to engage notch 31 to raise the guide 35 and lever 4| to the position of Fig ure 1'7 and delatch lever 42 which moves to the position of Figure 17. With the parts in this position the heat and signal are on and the furnac begins to heat up as previously described.

In many installations signals are required to indicate when an apparatus is functioning prop erly or to indicate to an operator when to effect a control of the apparatus. The present device is admirably suited for such work as illustrated in Fig. 20, which in many respects, is a duplication of the arrangement shown in Figure 17 excepting that the latch elements are removed, the guide 35 is the same as the guide of Figure 1, and the switch 66 is reversed in position to that shown in Figure 17. In this case the switches 65 and 63 are connected to control suitable signals, either visible or audible or both. When the actuator pin 34 engages the levers 4| and 42 said levers are raised and lowered with the pin, since there is no latch to maintain them in elevated position, and the signals are intermittently actuated.

The switch 65 may operate'a signal or signals indicating that the apparatus is functioning properly or when used with a furnace that the" furnace is heating up, while switch 66 may operate a signal or signals indicating that the condition of the apparatus is above normal, or in case of a furnace that the temperature is above that desired. During the interim the pointer is passing through the position of Figure 6 neither of the signals are operated, the pin 34 reciprocating idly thru portion 46', thus indicating that the condition of the apparatus is at the proper point or that the temperature of the furnace is at the desired point.

Under certain conditions it may be desirable to reverse the position of the switches 65 and 66 to have them close when the levers are in lowered or normal position and such an arrangement is shown in Figures 23 and 24.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the tactor intercepts the index only within narrow limits, that the index is free substantially all of the time to respond to its motivating force, and that .the depending arm of the bell crank and it will the index is not required to put forth any eflort toward operating the regulator.

In the arrangements illustrated in Figures 25 to 29, as in the ones described above, the casing usually used with instruments of this type is omitted, the index H which is shown in these figures being the pointer of any suitable instrument which may be functionally related to the value or condition to be controlled. This index H0 is adapted to cooperate with a scale H1 calibrated in suitable units and this scale is usually visible thru a window in the casing so that the instantaneous values of the condition may be observed and the needle is adapted to travel in proximity to the top ofthescale plate, but out of contact therewithfso that it may respond readily to its motivating force.

The lever I I2 is caused, by a prime moving device, to vibrate up and down to cause an angularly arranged portion H3 on its free end to dip into" and out of the path of the index H0 and is adapted to cooperate with said needle at the proper time to efiect the desired control.

. The portion H3 is intended to be intercepted by the index whereby the lever H2 is arrested and the desired control effected. It will be understood from the following description that a mere touch of the lever I I2 upon the index is suflicient and for convenience, the lever or its tooth is termed a tactor.

The lever H2 is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at H4, to a yoke I I5 swivally connected to the casing to turn about an axis preferably coincident with the axis of the index H0 to permit of adjustment of the position of the tactor, relative to the scale, so that the control may be conveniently set to operate from any predetermined point on the scale.

' Power for driving the regulating apparatus maybe derived from a motor H6, which is preferably, although not necessarily, operating at a uniform speed. A constant speed motor is satisfactory for the purpose. This motor, thru suitable reduction gearing H1, drives the shaft II 8 provided with a cam H9 or equivalent means having a suitable dwell' or .pause I therein. This cam is arranged to oscillate the'tact'or H3 thru a bell crank I2I pivoted, as at I22, and

. provided with a forwardly extending arm I23 and a depending arm I24. 'I'h'earm I23 is adapted to coact with the rear end of the lever H2, preferably above the axis of the pointer H0, so that,

when the lever is adjusted to different positions,

I the coaction between the arm and the lever will remain undisturbed and the depending arm I24 has a pin I25 for supporting the roller I26 in position to ride upon the periphery of the =camII3.

From-the foregoing, it will be seen that rotation of the cam I I9 causes the tactor to oscillate r or vibrateacross the path of the index and that the cam, although it is apparent that the weight of thelever may be augmented-or replaced by a. light; spring. The extent of oscillation of the tactordetermines the nature of the control to be affected and this control is made thru a selector I21. 'pivotallysupported as at I26, which may take the form of a bar provided with an enlarged opening I29, thru which the shaft 8- extends,

' and an elongated slot I30 in its free end. The

selector is biased toward the pin I25, carried by be seen that the extent of oscillation of the tactor determines the position of the selector.

An actuator I3I, pivotally supported and actuated by a pin I32 carried by the cam H3, is provided with a cross arm I33, one portion of which reciprocates in the slot I30 of the selector and the other portion of which coacts with the guide I34 and a control lever I35 secured to the shaftl36. The shaft I36 is provided with a control member I31, the purpose of which will be later described.

The guide I34 pivotally supported, as at I38, on an axis preferably, although not necessarily, coincident with the shaft I36 is operated by the actuator I3I, and during its upward motion actuates the latch mechanism comprising the arm I39 secured to the latch shaft I40 carrying the latch I4I which engages a series of teeth I42 on the control lever I35 to maintain said lever in position during the reciprocation of the actuator. The latch mechanism is preferably biased towards the lever I35 by means of a spring I43.

The index engaging portion H3 of the tactor is provided with a series of steps as indicated by the letters B, C, D, and E, and with a depending guard I44, which prevents accidental movement of, the index beyond the tactor when the latter is in raised position. As will be evident, the particular step engaged by the index will depend upon the extent of deflection of saidindex and it will also be apparent that engagement of the .difierent steps with the index causes different movements of the tactor. 0

Guide I34 is provided with a series of notches or indentations, A,- B, C, D, and E with which the actuator arm I33 is adapted to engage for guiding the arm during its actuation upon rotation of the cam H9 and the control lever I35 is likewise provided with'a series of steps A, B, C, D,

and E, which are adapted to be engaged by the arm I33. correspondingly lettered notches and steps are engaged by the actuator arm during a particular reciprocation.

The control lever I35 is preferably biased against the stop I45 by suitable means, such, for example, as the spring I46 connected to the control member I31 as illustrated in Figure 3 and the movement of the control member I31 may be transmitted to the elementv to be controlled by suitable transmission means such as the link I41. However, it is to be understood that the control member and means are illustrative only and that any means, suitable for the purpose, may be employed.

The method of operation of the device thus far described is as follows: Assuming that the tactor has been adjusted to that point on the scale repd resenting the value where the condition is to be maintained constant, with the step C of thetactor coincident with this point; thatithe index is at the zero position; and that the device has been. initially set in operation. As the cam I I9 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the roller I26 rides into the dwell I20, the bell crank and its assof ciated mechanism causes the tactor to beat across the plane of movement of the index and the se-'- lector I21 to move to its forward position to there-'- by selectively position the actuator I 3I wh ch is raise the control lever, which is retained in raised position by the latch I M. As the cam continues to rotate the actuator moves downwardly and the guide I34 moves with it until its movement is arrested by the stop I45, while the actuator continues its downward movement to complete the cycle of operation.

Since the index is down scale from the path of the tactor the selector is again positioned in its forward position and the actuator is so positioned that on upward movement it reengages the notch A and reciprocates the guide as before. As the actuator approaches its upper limit of movement, the guide I34 cams the latch arm I39 outwardly momentarily releasing the latch I4I from the teeth I42 of the control lever. I35, but as the actuator is in the upper limits of its movement, the control arm I is prevented from dropping since the step A thereof engages the actuator I33 and immediately after the actuator begins its downward motion the guide I34 permits re-enga'gement of the latch I4I with the teeth I42 to maintain the control lever in its raised position. Movement of the control lever I35 to its new position, by the actuator, causes the control member I3'I to affect a control of the condition to greatly increase the value thereof.

This increase of the condition causes the index IIO to deflect upscale and assuming that the index has now reached that point on the scale where the step C of the tactor, in its downward movement, engages the index IIO. This arrest of the downward movement of the tactor causes the roller I26 to only partially ride into the dwell I20 of the cam, consequently the pin'I25 positions the selector and actuator in a new position, such that the actuator arm vI33 on upward movement successively engages the notch C of the guide and the step C of the control lever I35 to move the control member to a new position where it is retained by the latch I4I as previously described. As long as the index remains in position to intercept the notch C of the tactor theselector will position the actuator to engage the notch C of the guide and since the control member I35 is retained in its raised position, the value of the condition will be maintained at the predetermined point desired.

Assuming now that the value of the condition has decreased below the predetermined point to which it is to be maintained and that the index in response to this change has receded to such position that the tactor, in its downward movement, intercepts the index on the step B thereof. The movement of the tactor being thus arrested, by engagement of the step B with the index, the roller I26'rides slightly further into the'dwell I20 than on its prior movements and so positions the selector that the actuator engages the notch B of the guide. As the actuator approaches the upper limits of its movement the guide I34, thru the arm I39, releases the latch I4I permitting the control lever I35 to drop until the step B engages the arm I33. This positions the control member in a new position where, as the guide moves away from the arm I 39, the latch re-engages the ratchet I42 maintaining thecontrol member in its then position.

The control member I31 now affects a control of the condition such that the value thereof is increased and as the index IIO deflects upscale in response to this increase in value it again moves into position to intercept the step C of the tactor whereupon the selector is positioned such that the 'such furnace.

C of the guide and the step C of the control member to again move the control member to its normal position whereupon the condition is again restored to its normal value.

While a certain arrangement of parts and particularly the series of steps on the tactor,

guide and control arm have been described in detail, it is to be understood that the stepped portions may be varied to suit the conditions of installation and the type of control desired, that the number of such steps may be either increased or decreased according to the particular requirements, and that the steps on the control arm may be sloped in a direction opposite to that shown or be replaced by an inclined portion having varying degrees of inclination.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the index H0 in each instance determines the extent of movement of the tactor and thru its associated mechanism selects the path of movement of the actuator and thereby determines the efiectiveness of the actuator upon the control member. While the actuator has a substantially uniform stroke the effectiveness of this stroke on the control arm or member is determined by the tactor which, through the selector, positions the actuator at varying radial distances from the pivotal center of the control member thereby varying the moment arm thru which it acts on said member. The points, where the actuator engages the control member, while placed at different radial distances from the pivotal center of the member, are also inclined or sloped, so that the effective movement of the actuator on the control'member is varied in accordance with its position at the time of engagement with the control member.

The present invention is readily adaptable to different requirements and Figure 27 illustrates an application of the control to an electric circuit and wherein thelink I4! is connected to the arm I48 of a rheostat I49 of an electric circuit which, for example, may include a motor, the speed of which is to be regulated. In this case, the index III) is arranged to respond to a function of the speed of the motor and with the motor designed to operate at normal speed with the contact arm I48 in the position illustrated, it

is evident that variations from this constant speed will cause variations in the position of the index and that the rheostat will be accordingly adjusted by the control apparatus to maintain the speed of the motor or other apparatus constant.

In Figure 28 the control member I3! is adapted to control the position of a series of mercury switches I50 which may be of the heavy duty type and connected in series with the resistors of an electric furnace to regulate the heating of As illustrated, the mercury switches I50 are mounted upon a disc I5I pivoted to turn about a shaft I52 provided with a gear I53 meshing with a segment I54 connected to thelink I41. In this type of control, the mercury switches are adapted tobe selectively pothe movement of the index as it responds to the a temperature of the furnace. Manifestly, the switches may also be connected to control signals, either audible or visible, instead of the heating of the resistors.

In Figure 29 the device is adapted to control n the flow of the fluid thru a pipe I55 by operation of the valve, I56, the stem of which is connected I to the link I41. In the control of the flow thru the pipe, which may be maintained constant-or otherwise, the index H responds to the flow of the fluid and the degree ofregulation will depend upon the extent of deflection of the index in response to variations in such flow.

The term index must be considered, wherever used herein, as a broad comprehensive term intended to include any elements which may be moved by a slight force and that the term control member or .member to be controlled" must be considered as including means which is to be moved or regulated in accordance with the deflection of the index.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention contemplates an efficient, rugged and powerful control apparatus in which the control the -spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

The present application is a continuation of my prior applications Nos. 484,059 and 513,662.

I claim:

l. The combination with control means having a variable movement depending upon changes in the condition to be controlled, and a final power-operated controlling member variably con- 2.'.Th e combination with means trolled by said first means and given thereby movement into positions corresponding to the position of the first means. v

to. be controlled of a pivoted element oscillatably mounted and having means to variably limit the oscillatory movement 'of the element in accordance with a condition to be controlled by said means, control means for controlling said condition and means controlled by said element for positioning the control means selectively in any, one of three or more predetermined positions in accordance with the extent of oscillation of the-pivoted element and holding it there until the next oscilla tion of the pivoted element. Y i

3. The combination with a control member adapted to be moved into one of a plurality of positions according to a condition to be controlled, an actuator having a substantially con stant actuating movement foroperating the con- 'trol member, means controlled according to said condition for varying the effective action of the; actuator on the control member, a latch for holdingthe control member in the position to which it is shifted by the actuator, and latch-releasing means operated by the actuator.

4. The combination with a member having a variable degree of movement and adapted to be controlled in accordance with a condition to be controlled, actuating means. for operating. said control member and controlled according to said conditions to variably actuate said member to move it different amounts, and means for automatically holding said member in any position to which it is moved by the actuating, means.

5. The combination with a movable index and a pivoted operating levermember to be controlled v by extent of deflection of the index, of a tactor beating across the path of the index and having a variable beating movement dependent upon the position of the index, a reciprocable actuator for variably operating said member and a guide for cally varying the effective lever arm of said member according to said deflection.

.6. The combination with an index deflectable in a plane and a control member capable of occupying one of a plurality of three or more positions, of a .tactor oscillatable across the plane of the index, the extent of oscillation being dependent upon the position of the index, an actuator for operating said control niember and having a predetermined movement, and means controlled by the tactor for causing the actuator to operate the control member to a predetermined one of said plurality of positions dependent upon the extent of oscillatory movement of the tactor. I

'7. A control instrument comprising in combination an index deflectable in a plane, a tactor having an index engaging portion, means for causing said tactor to dip across the plane of the index and tobe variably limited in its dipping movement by contact with the index in certain positions thereof, a pivoted control member, an

actuator to engage said member at diflferent" points in its length and means controlled by said tactor for causing said actuator to operate said index," and a selector, positioned by said tactor, i

for selectively positioning the actuator for determining the point along thelength of said member engaged by the actuator for changing the effective length of the member in accordancewith the beating movement of the tactor.

9. I na control device, an index deflectable in a plane, a tactor beating acrosssaid plane and having a serrated index-engaging portion for selectively limiting the movement of the tactor according to the deflection of the index, a reciprocable actuator j having a predetermined reciprocation, apivoted control member actuated by said actuator, \and a selector selectively positioned by said tactor according to extent of movement thereof for causing said actuator to selec tively coast with said control member for varying the length of the lever arm with which the actuator acts on said member..

across the path. of the index and adapted to coact therewith in certain positions thereof for se-.

lectively'liniiting the dipping movement thereof, an actuator having a reciprocatory movement, a guide for selectively guiding the movement of the actuator, a. control member operable to difierent positions, retaining means for holding said memher in any one of a plurality of selected positions and actuable by said guide to release said member.

to take up a new position, and a selector positioned by said tactor for selectively positioning the actuator, relative to the guide, for causing fiection of the index.

11. In a control apparatus, a movable index defiectable in a plane, a tactor including a stepped portion dipping across the plane of the index for selectively limiting the movement of the tactor according to the extent of deflection of the index, a guide having a series of detents, a control member movable to one of a plurality of positions and having a stepped portion, the steps of which are coincident with the detents of the guide, an actuator arm for actuating the control member, a selector controlled by said tactor for selectively positioning said actuator to cause the same to engage a particular detent of the guide and be guided thereby to coact with a step of the control member to operate the control member to a predetermined one of said plurality of positions according to the extent of deflection of the index, and actuating means for causing the tactor to dip across the plane of the index and for operating the actuator and the control member.

12. Control-actuating mechanism comprising a reciprocable actuator having a transversely-extending member at its end, a selector for shifting said member and the actuator, and a lever engaged at different points along its length by said member when it is shifted by the selector.

13. Control-actuating mechanism comprising a reciproc'able actuator having a transversely-extending member at its end, a selector for shifting said member and the actuator, and a control device variably engaged along its length by said member when it is shifted by the selector and which is shifted to corresponding difierent positions by said member.

l4. Control-actuating mechanism comprising an actuator, a control device variably engaged by said actuator and moved to difierent positions thereby, latch means for holding said member in any position to which it is moved, and means operated by the actuator for releasing the latch.

15. Control-actuating mechanism comprising an actuator, a control device variably engaged by said actuator and moved to different positions thereby, and latch means for holding said member in any position to which it is moved.

16. Control-actuating mechanism comprising an actuator having a shiftable operating member, a selector for setting said member, a control member variably engaged by said operating member, latch means for holding the control member,

and a device'holding the operating memberin selected position and which device is operated by the actuator to release the latch means.

17. Control-actuating mechanism comprising an actuator having a shiftable operating member, a selector for setting said member, a control member variably engaged by said operating member, latch means for holding the control member, and a device holding the operating member in selected position and which device is moved by said operating member to release the latch means.

justed.

2,065,220 movement of the control member according to de- 18. Control mechanism comprising a member having step by step angular movement, a series of switches successively closed during successive steps of said movement, and automatic means for shifting said member from step to step of said movement.

19. Control mechanism comprising an-index, a rotatable member having a series of mercury switches mounted at diiierent angles thereon and successively closed by rotation thereof, and means controlled by said index for rotating said member to different ones of a plurality of a predetermined position.

20. A control instrument comprising an indicator element having associated therewith a tactor provided with steps and intercepted by said element in different positions according to the step engaged, and control mechanism set in corresponding diiferent positions and comprising a pivoted member and an element set by said tactor for engagement with the pivoted member at different points in its length according to the step engaged by the indicator element.

21. The combination with control means having a variable movement depending upon changes in the condition to be controlled, an angularly adjustable final power-operated controlling member variably controlled by said first means and given thereby angular movement into angular positions corresponding to the position of the first mentioned means, and a plurality of mercury switches mounted on said member and angularly displaced with respect thereto, whereby said switches will open and close in predetermined order as said member is angularly moved back and forth through its said position.

22. Control actuating mechanism comprising in combination, a member angularly adjustable about an axis, a reciprocating actuator including a part adjustable relative to said axis. to engage portions of said member at different distances from said axis and adapted on a reciprocatory movement of said actuator to adjust said member into an angular position dependent on the portion of said member then engaged by said part, a selector for determining the portion of said member engaged by said part, and control means selectively controlled by the positions into which said member is adjusted.

23. Control actuating mechanism comprising in combination, a member angularly adjustable about an axis, and formed with recessed seats at difierent distances from said axis, a reciprocating actuator including a part adjustable relative to said axis to engage one or another of said seats and adapted on a reciprocatory movement of said actuator to adjust said member into an angular position dependent on the seat then engaged by said part, a selector for determining the seat of said member engaged by said part, and control means selectively controlled by the positions into which said member is ad- O'I'IO T. HANDWERK. 

